Whitevale bridge replacement moving ahead

Council approves company to complete environmental assessment, design

PICKERING -- Two years after a rain storm put the Whitevale bridge under water, the City is planning for a full replacement.

The Whitevale bridge in the centre of the hamlet, along with Whitevale Road and a lot of land, was under water from massive flash flooding in July, 2008.

Staff originally thought $60,000 in repairs would save the bridge problems but has since learned the entire bridge will have to be replaced.

"This is a very exciting project," said Ward 3 Regional Councillor Rick Johnson, pointing out the bridge is in an important heritage district in Pickering.

The City has decided to go with SRM Associates to undertake a class environmental assessment and detail design for the replacement, which will cost about $380,000. This phase of the project is eligible for federal gas tax funding.

The replacement will be a key project for the new council in the 2011 capital budget.